The Carbon Family Group 4A By Paul Engomites 3/12/10 10

Carbon Family The carbon family is group 4a of the periodic table and it consists of 5 elements--> carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead. Out of all the groups this one is very interesting because it consists of one nonmetal (carbon), two metals (tin and lead), and two metalloids (silicon and germanium).

Carbon Carbon is one of the most important elements in this group, it occurs in all living organisms.  Coal, oil, and natural gas (fossil fuels) all consist of pure carbon or carbon compounds. Carbon was one of the first elements known to humans. Fun facts--> These 2 elements combined together, olive oil and balsam gum make a primitive form of ink. And diamonds are described in the Bible and even older Hindu manuscripts. 

Silicon Silicon is the second most important element in this group, this makes up about 27.2% of the crust by weight. Silicone never occurs free in nature, only rarely does this happen and it is found in combination with oxygen. Many different particles of silicon have been used in human societies for two purposes: in the construction and manufacture of glasses and ceramics, and also in many buildings that are made now days for example brick, clay and sandstone are made of silicone materials Fun fact--> The first human footprint on the Moon was made with a silicone-rubber-soled boot.

Germanium Germanium metal is a dark gray solid, it's melting point is 937.4°C (1,719°F), and its boiling point is 2,830°C (5,130°F).

Tin Tin was one of the first few metals to have been used by humans (3500 B.C) these were the tools soldiers used in battle, they were made of tin, for example bronze. Tin is malleable and has a melting point of 232°C (450°F) and a boiling point of 2,260°C (4,100°F). Some things that are made of tin include buttons, organ pipes etc. Fun fact--> An other type of tin is something called gray tin, and this element was discovered in Russia when in 1850 when temperatures dropped below freezing.

Lead Lead is also a very important metal and it has been know to humans for thousands of year, it was used and is used for making pottery glazes in Egypt. Lead is a dull, gray, soft metal with a melting point of 327°C (621°F), and its boiling point is 1,751°C (3,184°F). Fun fact--> Household plumbing devices and many kinds of pots and pans contained lead. When water passed through these devices or the pots and pans were used for cooking, small amounts of lead were dissolved and were consumed by humans.